UV index in Florida today
Florida's low latitude and abundant sunshine make it one of the higher-UV states in the country, from Jacksonville down to Key West. Choose your city below for local hourly UV and a risk-managed tanning-time estimate.
Because Florida sits at a low US latitude, UV runs high across the state and climbs as you move south, with Key West, Miami and Fort Lauderdale typically peaking above more northern Jacksonville. The index tops out midday and is strongest from late spring through early fall, often reaching the EPA very high (8+) band, and the WHO advises protecting from UV 3 and up. Use the linked city pages and their hourly UV forecasts to find lower-risk windows; these are estimates to manage burn risk, not a promise of a safe tan or medical advice, and water, sand and sweat can raise real exposure.
UV by city in Florida
Source & freshness
Each city page shows live UV via TanPilot's UV proxy; the peaks above are typical clear-sky summer references for Florida. Estimates only — not medical advice.
Questions
Which Florida city has the highest UV?
The southernmost cities, Key West, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Naples, generally see the highest peak UV thanks to their low latitude and strong sun angle, frequently hitting the EPA very high (8+) band on clear summer middays. Jacksonville and Orlando run high too but are usually a notch below the far south. Bright water and white sand reflect additional UV, so real exposure can exceed the forecast; check each city's hourly UV. These are estimates, not medical advice.
When is UV lowest in Florida?
UV is lowest early morning and late afternoon, and seasonally in the winter months when the sun is lower, though Florida's low latitude means winter middays can still reach the EPA moderate-to-high range. The EPA notes UV 3+ is common even off-peak here, and clouds, reflection off water and sand, and sweat can raise real risk above the index. Use each city page's hourly UV to identify the genuinely lower-index windows.
Is it safe to tan in Florida at midday?
Florida middays (roughly 10am-4pm) routinely sit in the EPA high (6-7) or very high (8+) bands, so the WHO guidance to protect from UV 3+ strongly applies and burn risk peaks then. No tan is truly safe because tanning is UV damage; if you're outside, the FDA recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30+ reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating, plus shade and protective clothing. Our tanning-time numbers are risk-managed estimates, not medical advice, and your Fitzpatrick skin type, medications, water and sand reflection all change actual risk.